The following is an extract of the Secretary-General’s statement under Agenda Item 16 on ‘Protecting Vital Shipping Lanes’. The IMO Council meets for its 137th session from 6 to 10 July 2026 at IMO headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Update on evacuation plan and decisions of Council’s 36th extraordinary session

You will recall that, pursuant to the outcome of the Council’s 36th extraordinary session, I began work with the relevant Member States and industry representatives on an evacuation plan, and at the end of June, we were able to initiate the evacuation to bring to safety the ships and seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. I would like to thank relevant countries in the region and beyond and industry partners for their support and efforts in this regard. Allow me to make specific mention of the Sultanate of Oman for their work with IMO in the establishment of the evacuation framework.

Within the time of operation of the evacuation framework 136 vessels with a total of 2,900 seafarers were successfully evacuated through two alternative routes as the existing Traffic Separation Scheme could not be used due to security risks, specifically, the existence of sea mines. As you will be aware, this process has since been paused, as the safety of vessels and seafarers could no longer be assured.

Approximately 6000 seafarers remain trapped in the region. I am still seeking guarantees that vessels can evacuate the Strait of Hormuz using either of the alternative routes provided without the risk of threats of attack. I remain hopeful that the evacuation plan can be resumed, and the Secretariat continues to work with all parties concerned towards that end, so the thousands of affected seafarers can return to safety and normal trading conditions can begin to be restored in the area.

Impact on ships and seafarers

I want to be candid – this is not simply a matter of shipping statistics. Behind the figures are seafarers, and in some cases their families, who continue to bear the human cost of this conflict. Too many seafarers have tragically lost their lives in connection with this conflict.

At every opportunity, at IMO organ meetings, media appearances, as well as official statements, I reiterated that no attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is ever justified, that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law that must be respected by all parties without exception, and that shipping and seafarers should never be used as leverage in geopolitical conflicts.

I have called consistently for de-escalation, dialogue and multilateralism, and confirmed that the Secretariat is continuously working, including through the UN, on building regional capacity to respond to accidents, casualties and pollution incidents. And I will continue to do so.

The cost of insurance

Another matter of great concern is the continued high cost of maritime insurance in the region, which is itself compounding the strain on shipowners and operators.

This tells us that market pricing is not adjusting as conditions improve, governments with influence over the insurance and reinsurance markets have a role to play in engaging with insurers to ensure premiums reflect current realities, rather than continuing to reflect the peak of the crisis. It does not help the reduction on the cost of freight, and it affects, in particular, countries in those regions which have already suffered the consequences of these conflicts and are in need of assistance and the resumption of maritime trade.

Closing

At the opening of the session, I stated that there were signs of improvements in the region. However, the situation remains very fluid and regrettably, yesterday three vessels where hit when transiting the Strait of Hormuz via the southern corridor. Fortunately, no seafarers were injured, but it is a reminder that the risks remain. I reiterate my call to all flag States, shipowner and ship operators to remain cautious, to carry out the relevant risk assessment and not to take decisions which put the life of seafarers unnecessarily at risk.

I will continue to keep the Council informed as matters develop.

Thank you.”